Abstract: In the continuous catalytic polymerization of isobutylene, the exothermic heat of reaction is removed by vaporizing unreacted hydrocarbons, compressing and condensing the vaporized hydrocarbons to yield a liquid condensate at a pressure and temperature higher than that in the reaction zone, reducing the pressure on the liquid condensate to reduce its temperature to that of the reaction zone, separating any vapors thus formed and recycling the liquid condensate to the reaction zone. The process provides an energy efficient means of controlling reaction zone temperature. The process can be employed when using either a fluidized or fixed bed catalytic system.

Abstract: A method for controlling the formation of polymer accumulations in a distillation column comprising accumulating liquid phase material containing a polymerization inhibitor in a seal pan; providing the seal pan with liquid-pervious weep hole means through the bottom of the pan and allowing a controlled quantity of polymerization inhibitor-containing liquid phase material to seep through the weep hole means to the underside of the seal pan; and apparatus useful for practicing the disclosed method.

Abstract: A process for selectively producing liquid polyisobutene contacting a feed stream containing mixed butenes with a dry chlorinated alumina catalyst at a temperature of from about -15.degree. to about 50.degree. C. wherein the chlorinated alumina contains from about 2 to 20% by weight of chlorine and the alumina has a purity of at least 99% and a surface area greater than 150 m.sup.2 /g with at least 10% of the pores having a mean diameter larger than 200A and recovering polyisobutenes having a molecular weight between about 280 and 4000.